Enhancing or upgrading the overall feel in any area requires an improvement in the appearance of your home, which you can easily do with stone cladding. Modern architecture is improving rapidly and revolutionizing the way we used to decorate our walls in terms of the use of materials.
One of the most popular revolutions can be seen regarding the appearance of outer walls, also termed the art of wall cladding, which we will be going to discuss in this blog.
So if you are also looking to improve the appearance of your home with stone cladding, then read on to learn more.
What is stone cladding, and how does it work?
Stone cladding is a thin layer of refined stones popularly used for both interior and exterior applications. It is applied to give the effect of a natural stone wall. Stone cladding is widely famous for its durability, natural tone, and imperfection. There are two methods to install stone cladding on the walls, among which:
- The first is called the wet method. In this method, a mortar mix of adhesive and cement is used to fix the wall cladding.
- Another method is termed a dry method, in which stones are mechanically attached to the wall. This can be done by arranging, drilling, or bolting the stones to a metal frame system.
Stone cladding:
The ultimate solution for a striking wall
What are the areas where we can use stone cladding in our home?
Interior Walls
You can match your interior wall design with the other materials in your home. Whether you desire to create a modern appeal or a traditional look in your interior, stone wall cladding will fulfill all your requirements, providing several designs and color textures.
Exterior Walls
Stone cladding is in style, as it is a great choice to use on the exterior walls of your home. It provides a natural, stone-like feel to your outdoor areas. Cladding is also considered ideal for offering a sophisticated and welcoming entrance to your home.
Garden Walls
Stone cladding is also ideal to decorate the garden wall of your home, along with providing the optimum functional boundary. It is also used as a landscape piece that serves as a gorgeous backdrop for all the elements in the garden.
Benefits of Installing Stone Cladding in Your Home
To provide a natural and aesthetic look to your house, stone wall cladding will be a great option to opt for. But it is not only restricted to this, as you can seamlessly improve the appearance of your home with stone cladding with the several benefits it offers, which include:
Appearance
Natural stone cladding has imperfections in it that embrace the area well, as you will not be able to find two pieces the same. It consists of a natural texture that helps you contrast it with other materials to provide aesthetic appeal to your home.
Ease of Installation
One of the major benefits of using stone wall cladding is that it is easy to install. All you need is a structurally sound and suitable wall for cladding. You need to hand-select the tiles and place them in the different required areas accordingly.
Robust in nature
Stone wall cladding is extremely durable and lasts a long time, which gives it an upper hand when used in exterior areas. They can easily withstand even harsh weather conditions and are resistant to chipping and breaking. It requires low maintenance and is one of those materials that improves over time.
Versatile
Stone wall claddings are versatile as they can be used in multiple places, which include near fireplaces, bathroom feature walls, outdoor kitchens, boundary walls, or the sides of the pool.
What are the different types of stone cladding materials?
Some of the most common types of stone wall cladding materials are:
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed by materials such as fossil fragments and crystals. It has a low thermal conductivity, which makes it suitable for paving and wall cladding.
Pros of using limestone wall cladding
Durable:
Limestone is a durable stone and can last for centuries if maintained well.
Unique material:
Limestone has a unique texture naturally made over the centuries and is available in a ranges from white and blue to subtle brown. You can also combine it with dark colors because of its neutral look.
Resistant:
Limestone is resistant to fire and weather conditions, which makes it an ideal choice for use as wall cladding in outdoor areas.
Affordable:
It is a much more affordable material and also easy to clean as it doesn’t require any specific care.
Cons of using limestone wall cladding
Staining:
Limestone is susceptible to staining from some liquids as it is a porous material.
Installation:
Limestone consumes quite a bit of time during installation, along with heavy manpower.
Sealing:
It needs to be sealed for protection.
Granite
Granite is an igneous rock that is hard in nature and forms in different parts of the earth. It is mostly composed of alkali feldspar, quartz, and plagioclase.
Pros of using granite wall cladding
Attractive:
Granite is an attractive natural stone that is available in a wide range of colors and patterns.
Resistant:
Granite is resistant to water, stains, high temperatures, abrasion, and bacteria, which makes it a perfect choice for use in high-moisture areas.
Maintenance:
Granite has a highly polished surface, which makes it easy to maintain. The shine of a granite stone can last a long time with simple mopping and sweeping.
Cons of using granite wall cladding
Cost:
Granite is a quite expensive material, and its installation may require some experts, which will combine to cost more and also consume more time.
Repair:
Repairing a broken or cracked granite slab will cost quite a bit more and take more time.
Sandstone
Sandstone is a rock formed by deposits in rivers, lakes, and oceans that contain minerals formed by sand. It is mainly composed of feldspar and quartz.
Pros of using sandstone wall cladding
Adds Value:
Sandstone is a timeless material that keeps up with current trends and adds value to the property.
Flexible:
Sandstone is a flexible material as it can easily withstand harsh weather conditions.
Durable:
It is also considered one of the most durable cladding materials, requiring little to no maintenance.
Cons of using sandstone wall cladding
Sealant:
If installed in a moist area, then sandstone wall cladding needs to be sealed every three to six months.
Absorbs water:
If heavy water floods over the stone, it can absorb it. So it is recommended to clean the water soon to avoid any mold and bacteria.
Slate
Slate is a homogeneous, fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock that needs to be split or cleaved into thin slabs. These irregular slabs are great for use on roofs and wall cladding.
Pros of using slate wall cladding
Durable:
Slate is an incredibly durable material, making it a great choice for wall cladding. It can last for decades if maintained well.
Resistant:
It is a water and fire-resistant material, making it an ideal choice for use in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Unique Look:
Slate is a beautiful natural material, with no two pieces being the same, giving walls a unique and beautiful look.
Add Value:
Slate is considered an upscale material, and using it as wall cladding will increase the value of the place.
Cons of using slate wall cladding
Installation:
It is hard to cut slate without using any special tools and needs experts to be installed anywhere.
Expansive:
You might find slate to be quite an expensive material while making the purchase and having it installed, but this will benefit you in the long run
Inconsistent:
Slat is a unique natural material, and it may be difficult to find any fine replacement during the repair of this stone.
What Are Some Stone Cladding Patterns and Styles?
There are a lot of patterns and styles you can use to improve the appearance of your home with stone cladding, some of which are:
Rustic Touch:
You can add a rustic touch to the walls of your entrance and enhance that place with a touch of attractive stones. You can also use stone wall cladding to divide up the space by using it on a section of the wall.
Ledgestone Beauty:
You can use ledge stone wall cladding to differentiate and create a unique design on the walls of your bathroom, living room, and bedroom areas. It will provide your room with a busy feel and is now in style
Black Charmer
A black stone wall cladding is a great way to decorate your wall, as it goes with every color and texture of that place and provides a rich and classic look to your room. They are not too prominent but offer the right amount of texture to the place.
3D Effect
Getting a 3D effect at your home with the help of natural stone wall cladding might sound crazy, but you can now do it with just the right choice of stone. It attracts every eye and beautifies the space naturally.
White Peace
If you want to break some monotony, then the white and serene wall is all you need. This will provide a distinctive space in your area without doing much with it. It provides a sense of calmness all over the place.
How to maintain stone wall cladding for years?
Vacuum
Accumulated dust is the major problem on walls, and to remove it, you can use a broom, duster, or vacuum weekly. Using a vacuum cleaner will be more effective, as it will help you clean thoroughly without using much energy.
Water
Water is the easiest and most convenient way to clean your walls. You can clean your walls with water once a week, but make sure to let the exterior walls air dry and soak the interior walls in water using a cloth.
Washing Liquid
You can use a mixture of water, salt, and washing liquid to clean the wall cladding in your space. You can use this cleaning method once a month or every second week. This step will be taken after the dusting.
All you need to do is make a thick paste using these ingredients, apply it to the wall using a sponge, leave it for 15 minutes, and wash it with water.
FAQs:
Q. Is stone cladding cheap?
Ans. No, stone cladding is not cheap, but it is considered far cheaper than traditional stonework.
Q. Does stone cladding need a foundation?
Ans. Yes, you need a strong foundation for the stone cladding to support the wall. It is one of the major elements of installation, especially when using stone materials.
Q. Is stone cheaper than brick?
Ans. No, both stone and brick are considered expansive materials to be used on the interior and exterior of a home.
Q. Is stone cladding heavy?
Ans. Yes, stone cladding is quite heavy and needs a suitable substrate to support its foundation.
Q. Why is stone cladding expensive?
Ans. Natural cladding is relatively more expensive than other wall claddings because it comes from natural resources that are specific to some geographical areas of the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, stone cladding is an excellent way to improve the appearance of your home, both indoors and outdoors. With its durability, low maintenance, and aesthetic appeal, it can transform your living space into a stylish and elegant haven.
With so many benefits to offer, it’s no wonder that stone cladding has become a popular choice among homeowners and designers alike. So, if you’re looking for a simple yet effective way to upgrade your home’s appearance, consider stone cladding as your next project.
Whether you opt for natural stone or artificial stone veneers, stone cladding is a cost-effective way to give your home an upscale look. Moreover, the installation process is relatively easy and can be completed within a reasonable timeframe.
